It's a subtle item, but the NHL's combine invite list may give Edmonton Oiler fans a "key to the highway" for their team's entry draft.

Last season, the National Hockey League invited 100 prospects to the NHL combine. Over a several day period, they were physically tested and had an opportunity to interview with interested team. The Edmonton Oilers were front and center, and the Oil Change cameras came along too (the famous Taylor Hall quote about wanting to be an Oiler ignited the fanbase).

Here are the kids invited so far, and I've made a few comments on some of the prospects.

Seth Ambroz

Omaha

USHL

RW

6-foot-2

211

Olivier Archambault

Val d'Or

QMJHL

LW

5-foot-11

170

Sven Baertschi-big playoff

Portland

WHL

LW

5-foot-10

181

Nathan Beaulieu

Saint John

QMJHL

D

6-foot-2

174

Myles Bell-x

Regina

WHL

D

6-foot

214

Tyler Biggs

USA U-18

USHL

RW

6-foot-2

210

Austen Brassard

Belleville

OHL

RW

6-foot-2

191

Daniel Catenacci

Sault Ste. Marie

OHL

C

5-foot-10

183

Adam Clendening

Boston University

HE

D

5-foot-11`

190

Nick Cousins

Sault Ste. Marie

OHL

C

5-foot-11

166

Sean Couturier-he's a stud C

Drummondville

QMJHL

C

6-foot-4

197

Joseph Cramarossa

Mississauga St. Michael's

OHL

C

6-foot

188

Phillip Danault

Victoriaville

QMJHL

LW

6-foot

170

Joel Edmundson-big and mobile

Moose Jaw

WHL

D

6-foot-5

191

Travis Ewanyk-impressing late

Edmonton

WHL

LW

6-foot-1

178

Rocco Grimaldi

USA U-18

USHL

C

5-foot-6

163

Dougie Hamilton- top 10 talent

Niagara

OHL

D

6-foot-4

187

Jonathan Huberdeau-top 3 pick?

Saint John

QMJHL

C

6-foot-1

170

Philippe Hudon

Choate-Rosemary

HIGH-CT

C/RW

6-foot

190

Colin Jacobs

Seattle

WHL

C

6-foot-1

197

Boone Jenner

Oshawa

OHL

C

6-foot-1

204

Nicklas Jensen

Oshawa

OHL

LW/RW

6-foot-2

187

Tomas Jurco

Saint John

QMJHL

RW

6-foot-2

187

Alexander Khokhlachev

Windsor

OHL

C/LW

5-foot-10

188

Patrick Koudys

Rensselaer

ECAC

D

6-foot-2

190

Sean Kuraly

Indiana

USHL

C

6-foot-2

192

Joseph Labate

Holy Angels

HIGH-MN

C

6-foot-4

180

Gabriel Landeskog-NHL ready

Kitchener

OHL

LW

6-foot-1

207

Zac Larraza

USA U-18

USHL

LW

6-foot-2

192

Maximilien LeSieur

Shawinigan

QMJHL

RW

6-foot-2

203

Lucas Lessio

Oshawa

OHL

LW

6-foot-1

197

Luke Lockhart

Seattle

WHL

RW

5-foot-10

180

Adam Lowry

Swift Current

WHL

LW

6-foot-4

186

Mario Lucia

Wayzata

HIGH-MN

LW

6-foot-2

183

Scott Mayfield

Youngstown

USHL

D

6-foot-4

197

Mark McNeill-PF is a 2-way C

Prince Albert

WHL

C

6-foot-2

201

Jonathan Miller

USA U-18

USHL

C

6-foot-1

198

Joseph Morrow-could be an Oiler

Portland

WHL

D

6-foot

197

Connor Murphy

USA U-18

USHL

D

6-foot-3

185

Ryan Murphy-ridiculous talent

Kitchener

OHL

D

5-foot-11

166

David Musil

Vancouver

WHL

D

6-foot-3

198

Vladislav Namestnikov

London

OHL

C

6-foot

166

Matthew Nieto

Boston University

HE

LW

5-foot-11

175

Marcel Noebels

Seattle

WHL

LW

6-foot-3

195

Stefan Noesen

Plymouth

OHL

RW

6-foot

195

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-best available?

Red Deer

WHL

C

6-foot-1

164

Scott Oke

Saint John

QMJHL

LW

6-foot-3

185

Jamieson Oleksiak-Beyond huge

Northeastern

HE

D

6-foot-7

244

Xavier Ouellet

Montreal

QMJHL

D

6-foot

174

Stuart Percy

Mississauga St. Michael's

OHL

D

6-foot-1

186

Zack Phillips-showing well late

Saint John

QMJHL

C

6-foot-1

178

Shane Prince

Ottawa

OHL

C

5-foot-10

174

Matt Puempel

Peterborough

OHL

LW

6-foot

196

Alan Quine

Peterborough

OHL

C

5-foot-11

178

Jonathan Racine

Shawinigan

QMJHL

D

6-foot-1

182

Rickard Rakell

Plymouth

OHL

RW

6-foot

191

Ty Rattie-underrated talent

Portland

WHL

RW

5-foot-11

163

Mike Reilly

Shattuck-St. Mary's

HIGH-MN

D

5-foot-11

150

Tobias Rieder

Kitchener

OHL

C

5-foot-11

173

Brett Ritchie

Sarnia

OHL

RW

6-foot-3

210

Robbie Russo

USA U-18

USHL

D

6-foot

189

Brandon Saad

Saginaw

OHL

LW

6-foot-1

208

Reece Scarlett

Swift Current

WHL

D

6-foot-1

164

Mark Scheifele-drawing attention late

Barrie

OHL

C

6-foot-2

182

Logan Shaw

Cape Breton

QMJHL

RW

6-foot-3

197

Nicholas Shore

Denver

WCHA

C

6-foot

195

Duncan Siemens

Saskatoon

WHL

D

6-foot-3

192

Ryan Sproul

Sault Ste. Marie

OHL

D

6-foot-3

175

Michael St. Croix-still under the radar

Edmotnon

WHL

C

5-foot-11

176

Ryan Strome-wonderful prospect

Niagara

OHL

C

6-foot

175

Colin Sullivan

Avon Old Farms

HIGH-CT

D

6-foot-1

190

Ryan Tesink

Saint John

QMJHL

C

5-foot-11

157

Vincent Trocheck

Saginaw

OHL

C

5-foot-10

184

Andy Welinski

Green Bay

USHL

D

6-foot

188

Tyler Wotherspoon-Oil could use him

Portland

WHL

D

6-foot-1

203

Zachary Yuen

Tri-City

WHL

D

6-foot

205

NORTH AMERICAN GOALTENDERS

Jordan Binnington

Owen Sound

OHL

6-foot-1

156

Laurent Brossoit

Edmonton

WHL

6-foot-3

193

Christopher Gibson

Chicoutimi

QMJHL

6-foot-1

193

John Gibson

USA U-18

USHL

6-foot-3

205

Matt Mahalak

Plymouth

OHL

6-foot-2

183

Matt McNeely

USA U-18

USHL

6-foot-2

205

Stephen Michalek

Loomis Chaffee

HIGH-CT

6-foot-2

183

Michael Morrison

Kitchener

OHL

6-foot

177

EUROPEAN SKATERS

Joel Armia-big and skilled

Assat

FIN

RW

6-foot-3

191

Rasmus Bengtsson

Rogle

SWE-2

D

6-foot-3

189

Jeremy Boyce Rotevall

Timra

SWE

LW

6-foot

169

Jonas Brodin

Farjestad

SWE

D

6-foot-1

169

Max Friberg

Skovde

SWE-3

LW

5-foot-11

185

Markus Granlund

HIFK

FIN-JR

C

5-foot-10

169

Gregory Hofmann

Ambri

SWISS

C

6-foot

177

Dmitri Jaskin

Slavia

CZE

RW

6-foot-1

196

Karl Johansson

Brynas

SWE-JR

D

5-foot-9

167

Oscar Klefbom

Farjestad

SWE

D

6-foot-4

200

Nikita Kucherov

CSKA

RUS-JR

W

5-foot-10

163

Adam Larsson-franchise player?

Skelleftea

SWE

D

6-foot-3

200

Joachim Nermark

Linkoping

SWE-JR

C

6-foot-1

187

Victor Rask

Leskand

SWE-2

C

6-foot-2

194

Alexander Ruuttu

Jokerit

FIN-JR

C

6-foot-1

183

Miikka Salomaki

Karpat

FIN

RW

5-foot-11

198

Mika Zibanejad-late push

Djurgarden

SWE

C

6-foot-2

191

EUROPEAN GOALTENDER

Samu Perhonen

JYP

FIN-JR

6-foot-4

172

One of the reasons I think this list is important? Last season, the Oilers drafted SEVEN of the kids who were at the 2010 combine: Tyler Bunz, Brandon Davidson, Taylor Hall, Curtis Hamilton, Martin Marincin, Ryan Martindale, Tyler Pitlick.

The combine goes from May 30 through June 4.

Lowetide has been one of the Oilogosphere's shining lights for over a century. You can check him out here at OilersNation and at lowetide.ca. He is also the host of Lowdown with Lowetide weekday mornings 10-noon on TSN 1260.

1) Jamieson Oleksiak: 6-foot-7 244. Sweet God what are they feeding this kid? When I was 17-18 I literally weighed half of that kid's 244 pounds. It would be a full time job just to keep his trough full, I imagine.

2) Personally, I think this is the absolute worst time to make an Offer Sheet to anyone. The Oilers have just finished their 2nd year in a row as the 30th placed team. They havent addressed any of their needs yet on defense, in goal, or at centre. Even with the addition of 1 Mr Weber the team will still be incredibly poor. This isnt a case where the Oilers' future picks should be out of the top 10, this is lotto country until proven otherwise.

Also, making an RFA offer big enough to prevent Nashville from matching in order to keep their biggest star, Captain, and Norris trophy candidate (not to mention big enough to convince Weber to leave his home and playoff aspirations to be Edmonton bound) would likely cripple the Oilers' draft-board for years. This goes against everything they've been doing for 2 seasons. Literally a complete 180.

Offer sheets work for teams in the top ten of the NHL. NOT THE bottom .

Worked with Dustin Penner. Hey, the Oilers are unlikely to send one Weber's way but lordy that's a solid building block. He's got miles and miles of hockey to play, it makes the Oilers blueline much better and the club has some quality youth (especially up front).

Let's reframe the question: Would we trade Hall, Eberle, and Pajaarvi for Weber?

I'm going to assume no, and just say that anything that takes bullets away from Mr. Macgregor is a bad idea, and must be avoided as a temptation to take a short cut.

Look at the list of prospects above. Which of them is the next Shea Weber?

No. However, with those players and others in the fold the Oilers will be a much better team moving forward. If you add Weber, a goalie to play in tandem with Dubnyk and a veteran 2-way C (plus a winger with grit) then this team shouldn't be near the lottery for a long time.

IF you draft a defenseman in a lottery slot 2012, how long before he's Shea Weber?

No. However, with those players and others in the fold the Oilers will be a much better team moving forward. If you add Weber, a goalie to play in tandem with Dubnyk and a veteran 2-way C (plus a winger with grit) then this team shouldn't be near the lottery for a long time.

IF you draft a defenseman in a lottery slot 2012, how long before he's Shea Weber?

Exactly! Baring a complete miracle we are at least 5 years away from a drafted defensmen turning into a true #1..... coincidently not long before Taylor Hall has access to UFA status.

If we want this rebuild to end anytime this decade we're going to have to import a few defensmen (one of the them needing to be at least borderline elite) either through UFA/trade/RFA.

All that said, if EDM looks at CHI's cap situation and decides it's worth trying to sign Frolik out of CHI on a 2 year, 3 mil per year deal where the compensation is one 2nd round pick, that kind of deal may well make a ton of sense (depending, of course, on your opinion of Frolik).

Offer sheeting Frolik is a great idea.
It would be tough for CHI to match given their cap situation and only giving up a 2nd is easily worth price.

Great young player, and you can never have enough of those. Played against tough comp for last 2 years in FLA and kept his head above water.

Its funny that some people point at Victor Hedman and say "that's why you don't take a Dman high in the draft"

Hedman is 2nd on TBY in ice-time for the playoffs (only behind Brewer)

He -3, but he's in a shut down role against the best in the world and he's only 20 years old.

If anything, when people point to Hedman it should be in support of taking Larsson, not against it.

The problem with OS Weber is that it would likely cost too much before you reach enough money+compensation for NSH to walk away. We don't have the 2011 RFA compensation limits yet, but it might take an offer of 5 years, 40 mil, before NSH would walk away, which would be pushing the limits of the 2-1sts, 1-2nd, 1-3rd compensation range. If you go beyond 5 years (at a rate even close to that) or for more money than that, the compensation jumps to 4-1sts. I think it's debatable whether NSH would pay Weber 8 mil a year, but maybe they would on a 5 year deal where they don't have the long term injury risk of a 15 year deal. Either way, one could argue that keeping him for 7.9 mil a year for 5 years makes more sense than EDM paying him the same, plus losing potential top 5, 35, 65 picks plus a 2013 1st, while not really expecting to push for the Cup in the first 2 years of that deal anyways. At this point in EDM's rebuild, IMO that's way too risky even for Weber.

Now, if you're DET, looking like a perennial playoff team, with a retiring Lidstrom coming off the books either this summer or fairly soon, picking a top pairing D from a division rival with what will probably be late round firsts makes a lot of sense.

To the dollar, no idea. But, NSH is currently paying Weber 4.5 mil per season. Is there any reason to believe they would walk away from an offer sheet that increases his salary by 2.5 mil, to 7 mil? I don't think so, I suppose others may disagree. If that's the case, then the only way a team will be able to sign him away from NSH, provided that team isn't willing to sacrifice 4-1sts, is to sign him to a 5 year deal worth between 7 mil and whatever the compensation limit is (I'll estimate that at 8 mil, it was ~7.7 mil for 2-1st, 1-2nd, 1-3rd last summer). I think, if pushed, NSH would match there ALTHOUGH if there were a team they might not match it would probably be a team like the Oilers, since Poile would likely project the picks to be much more valuable from EDM than DET.

Basically, I think that NSH will be willing to match any offer sheet the Oilers might make to Weber that isn't cost prohibitive to the Oilers, in terms of both Weber's required salary and the value of the draft picks. Sure, the Oilers could probably get him if they offer 100 over 10, but it's not worth the cost.

Also, I guess this is a stupid question - but why hasn't Benjamin Conz been on anyone's radar?

Isn't he a decent goalie?

pick him up in NHL 11. Franchise goalie in th egame. I get him first overall when you start a new franchise and start at the entry draft. If you start after that he is not in the game and you cant get him next year as the real draft class for 2012 will replace him.

I don't see the Oilers going to go the offer sheet option. If they go after Weber it will be the trade route. Having to give up 4 first round picks is too much to offer for Weber especially if it is another lottery pick next year and maybe the year after that as well.

I don't think it's crazy at all to offer sheet Weber. The question is price (and of course compensation) but the idea makes perfect sense from an Oiler pov.

perfect sense...... in about 3 years. I really think the Oil are a lottery team next year EVEN WITH Shea Weber. To lose 2 first round picks, a second and a third at this critical drafting stage would cause me to go absolutely postal and you would read about me in the newspapers. No rushing, no whale-hunting boys. Lets do this right. Steady as she goes helmsman! Steady as she goes!

Not that I think the Oilers will offer sheet anybody.But why waste it on a D-man?Who is the most important player in theVan/Nash series?Weber or Kesler?Do you think Tampas D is better then the Caps?Tampa is 7-0 with Marc Andre freaking Bergeron in the lineup.Stamkos and Lecavlier dominated the Caps centremen.Can you say Sweep!!Boston's best player has been Bergeron 17/19 in faceoffs tonite.Big Joe just set up the winner,he has been the best player in the series,not Lidstrom.Name me the Sharks 6 D-men.Centremen are the most important players on the team.If I offersheet anybody its a centreman.

If the Oilers were to go the RFA route, I would rather see them try for a couple smaller priced players rather than the one expensive (both salary and compensation). For example, based on the 2009 RFA compensation schedule you could target someone in the $1.5 to $3 million range for a third rounder and a $3 to $4.5 for a first and a third rounder. Essentially you are sacrificing the first three rounds for 2 established starters.

The question is who could you target in each of those categories? Of course you also have to look at teams that might not be in able to match the offer. What about someone like a Karl Alzner (Caps have a number of UFA's to sign) , Kyle Okposo (cheap owner might not want to pay), Zach Bogosian (Atlanta already has big money tied into their backend. Might not be able to afford another).

In the $3 million range what about Brandon Sutter (stick it to Flames fans) ...ok its getting late and I cant think of anyone else.

More than anything Weber is going to either sign a 1 year deal or head to arbitration for a 1 year contract. What the Oil need to do is wait until next summer and trade goodies to get his rights prior to July 1st and attempt to swoon him into a deal. Offer sheeting him is the wrong move this off season and even opposes what ST already stated about "not going for a $10 mill FA".

Some may say that Weber will be a deadline rental but there's two reasons why it won't happen in my mind: 1.) Nashville will want too much of what the buyers will not have - prospects/draft picks. Why, Preds can't sign because of money issues, they won't want money or big money players in return. 2.) With Weber and Troz's Norris worthy skills the Preds are a playoff team, which = money. Two straight years going to round 2 or even 4 home games in round 1 would grease the wheels enough for Nash to either not want to trade Weber and risk loosing him to free agency OR they might actually be able to scrape together a short term big money deal.

Synopsis, if Weber is moved before the deadline next year then the management/ownership in Nashville is telling their fans that they can't afford a competitive NHL franchise. Consequently resulting in an eventual movement of the hockey team.

...when asked about how the oilers get "our next Pronger" a month or so ago you replied with a simple "...via the draft..." LT... what's changed your mind now with this most recent Weber take...?

"...Worked with Dustin Penner. Hey, the Oilers are unlikely to send one Weber's way but lordy that's a solid building block. He's got miles and miles of hockey to play, it makes the Oilers blueline much better and the club has some quality youth (especially up front).

Weber would be a welcome addition..."

if we got him on a five year (like Pronger except without the wife) and paid him like the franchise Captain of any team should be paid,is that six or seven million per?... why then do we need the draft to do much of anything when we we'd maybe be on our way to the playoffs... RNH would be ours with the Number1 can the L.A. pick go back to the Predators as part of the offer sheet...?

then Kevin tells Our GM to just back up the Brinks truck @ Webers' locker...

oh and have Suter watching as welltell him we'll be back next year when HE'S a UFA

...when asked about how the oilers get "our next Pronger" a month or so ago you replied with a simple "...via the draft..." LT... what's changed your mind now with this most recent Weber take...?

"...Worked with Dustin Penner. Hey, the Oilers are unlikely to send one Weber's way but lordy that's a solid building block. He's got miles and miles of hockey to play, it makes the Oilers blueline much better and the club has some quality youth (especially up front).

Weber would be a welcome addition..."

if we got him on a five year (like Pronger except without the wife) and paid him like the franchise Captain of any team should be paid,is that six or seven million per?... why then do we need the draft to do much of anything when we we'd maybe be on our way to the playoffs... RNH would be ours with the Number1 can the L.A. pick go back to the Predators as part of the offer sheet...?

then Kevin tells Our GM to just back up the Brinks truck @ Webers' locker...

oh and have Suter watching as welltell him we'll be back next year when HE'S a UFA

"if we got him on a five year (like Pronger except without the wife) and paid him like the franchise Captain of any team should be paid,is that six or seven million per?"

although i am against outrageous offer sheets at this time this proposal/suggestion of a 5yr term is the most digestable....30-35mill over 5 is better.

if i still had the choice between the blue pill (no rfa sheet) or red pill (brinks truck/klowe philosophy), i would use water to drink the blue pill down and i'd have to choke down the red pill with no couple H's and an O.

why not use the picks second round on and to covet defenceman...lots of them. we are clearly doing ok up front, lets fill the cabinet in the back.

...when asked about how the oilers get "our next Pronger" a month or so ago you replied with a simple "...via the draft..." LT... what's changed your mind now with this most recent Weber take...?

"...Worked with Dustin Penner. Hey, the Oilers are unlikely to send one Weber's way but lordy that's a solid building block. He's got miles and miles of hockey to play, it makes the Oilers blueline much better and the club has some quality youth (especially up front).

Weber would be a welcome addition..."

if we got him on a five year (like Pronger except without the wife) and paid him like the franchise Captain of any team should be paid,is that six or seven million per?... why then do we need the draft to do much of anything when we we'd maybe be on our way to the playoffs... RNH would be ours with the Number1 can the L.A. pick go back to the Predators as part of the offer sheet...?

then Kevin tells Our GM to just back up the Brinks truck @ Webers' locker...

oh and have Suter watching as welltell him we'll be back next year when HE'S a UFA

Nothing has changed my mind. If Weber were at all available I'd love for the Oilers to take a shot, just as I suggested earlier in the year that if Bogosian is available it behooves ST to make a strong bid.

In this post:
http://oilersnation.com/2011/2/16/trade-target-bogosian

about Bogosian I said "Nothing against Adam Larsson, but if the Oilers take him with their lottery pick this summer it will be followed by at least two or three years of development. Defensemen develop by sundial, history tells us that much."

More than anything Weber is going to either sign a 1 year deal or head to arbitration for a 1 year contract. What the Oil need to do is wait until next summer and trade goodies to get his rights prior to July 1st and attempt to swoon him into a deal. Offer sheeting him is the wrong move this off season and even opposes what ST already stated about "not going for a $10 mill FA".

Some may say that Weber will be a deadline rental but there's two reasons why it won't happen in my mind: 1.) Nashville will want too much of what the buyers will not have - prospects/draft picks. Why, Preds can't sign because of money issues, they won't want money or big money players in return. 2.) With Weber and Troz's Norris worthy skills the Preds are a playoff team, which = money. Two straight years going to round 2 or even 4 home games in round 1 would grease the wheels enough for Nash to either not want to trade Weber and risk loosing him to free agency OR they might actually be able to scrape together a short term big money deal.

Synopsis, if Weber is moved before the deadline next year then the management/ownership in Nashville is telling their fans that they can't afford a competitive NHL franchise. Consequently resulting in an eventual movement of the hockey team.

Where on earth are people getting this one year contract idea for Weber from?

The idea is after 1 year he will become a UFA and he could leave Nashville behind.

Personally, I dont see that happening. He's the Captain, has a great Defence partner in Suter, has a stable coach who is respected league wide, has likely laid down roots in the city he's called home for 6 seasons, he's on a playoff team, and he's relatively under the radar (in Nashville). The only way he leaves is if the Preds absolutely refuse to pay him even close to value.

We (Oiler fans) seem to have a strange infatuation with draft picks and (despite the recent spotlight on here) most don't understand just how poor the success rates really are.

I hope to sweet Jeebus that at least Tambellini can remember that we are a 30th place team 2 years running. UFAs sure, RFA offer sheets and losing picks to compensation? HELL NO! Not yet guys, COME ON! :)

All that said, if EDM looks at CHI's cap situation and decides it's worth trying to sign Frolik out of CHI on a 2 year, 3 mil per year deal where the compensation is one 2nd round pick, that kind of deal may well make a ton of sense (depending, of course, on your opinion of Frolik).

The problem with OS Weber is that it would likely cost too much before you reach enough money+compensation for NSH to walk away. We don't have the 2011 RFA compensation limits yet, but it might take an offer of 5 years, 40 mil, before NSH would walk away, which would be pushing the limits of the 2-1sts, 1-2nd, 1-3rd compensation range. If you go beyond 5 years (at a rate even close to that) or for more money than that, the compensation jumps to 4-1sts. I think it's debatable whether NSH would pay Weber 8 mil a year, but maybe they would on a 5 year deal where they don't have the long term injury risk of a 15 year deal. Either way, one could argue that keeping him for 7.9 mil a year for 5 years makes more sense than EDM paying him the same, plus losing potential top 5, 35, 65 picks plus a 2013 1st, while not really expecting to push for the Cup in the first 2 years of that deal anyways. At this point in EDM's rebuild, IMO that's way too risky even for Weber.

Now, if you're DET, looking like a perennial playoff team, with a retiring Lidstrom coming off the books either this summer or fairly soon, picking a top pairing D from a division rival with what will probably be late round firsts makes a lot of sense.